Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Arzeena]

8 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Another question, because we not really sure where we are going  on this cruise can we use our sea pass card to get cash at the guest relations desk? I assume we can use our sea pass card to get chips at the casino and then turn them back into cash right without any kind of fee, is this correct?

@Jimbo,

I can totally understand your anxiety. Where ever you sail to, I am sure you will have a wonderful cruise. Relax. You will make the best of it. I know  you will! I wish you the best!
 

I think there is a fee for getting cash on your sea pass from the casino. Unless you are Prime or have some higher tier in Club Royale (?)

I also think GS will give you something against your sea pass or cash a check for a certain amount once ($250? not absolutely sure).

 

[Ocean Boy]

The fog is getting thicker...

 

 

A shot of my dear friend's house. Even she doesn't have enough money to buy a view today.

 

 

 

[jmh2006]

Phew just caught up!  Had a wonderful weekend in Washington DC to attend a wedding of the son of dear friend’s!  Even though it was hit and a bit rainy yesterday we had a fabulous time!  

[DaniDanielle]

Beautiful picture. Happy you had a good time!

[A&L_Ont]

1 hour ago, DaniDanielle said:

Sherlock got snipped 

 

I don’t think he’ll find it so elementary.  😂

[A&L_Ont]

I saw this today and chuckled

 

[NHProud]

Happy grandparents day to all the proud grandparents on here ! 

[Jimbo]

1 hour ago, Arzeena said:

@Jimbo,

I can totally understand your anxiety. Where ever you sail to, I am sure you will have a wonderful cruise. Relax. You will make the best of it. I know  you will! I wish you the best!
 

I think there is a fee for getting cash on your sea pass from the casino. Unless you are Prime or have some higher tier in Club Royale (?)

I also think GS will give you something against your sea pass or cash a check for a certain amount once ($250? not absolutely sure).

 

I Can  get chips though in the Casino right, then later on in the night cash the chips out for cash? I can do that with no fee can't I ?

[Arzeena]

26 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

I Can  get chips though in the Casino right, then later on in the night cash the chips out for cash? I can do that with no fee can't I ?

I believe so. But Debbie will have a sure answer for the fee part. I am not sure when or where the fee kicks in.

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by Arzeena

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, jmh2006 said:

Phew just caught up!  Had a wonderful weekend in Washington DC to attend a wedding of the son of dear friend’s!  Even though it was hit and a bit rainy yesterday we had a fabulous time!  

Looking great but you guys will look even better in swim wear in about a month.

Cheers!

[lenquixote66]

42 minutes ago, NHProud said:

Happy grandparents day to all the proud grandparents on here ! 

Thank you 

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

I Can  get chips though in the Casino right, then later on in the night cash the chips out for cash? I can do that with no fee can't I ?

Yes or you can also take money out via the slot machine with no fee.

[Ozark_Kid]

The Jewel docked in Halifax.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, jmh2006 said:

Phew just caught up!  Had a wonderful weekend in Washington DC to attend a wedding of the son of dear friend’s!  Even though it was hit and a bit rainy yesterday we had a fabulous time!  

Lovely photo.

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

Boy, your weather sounds appealing after our miserable stretch of 100°+ days.

Good evening.

It is currently 62°F and raining.

We had thunderstorms an hour ago which lasted 30 minutes.

It feels a lot cooler now after several nights of 70°F+ temperatures.

 

[dani negreanu]

@Ocean Boy

 

Just for you, OB, Odyssey of the Seas in all her glory 😎

 

 

And the indispensable mooring lines for Greg @Sea Dog  and Harry @harryfat1

 

 

 

 

[NHProud]

4 hours ago, Jimbo said:

 Just wondered if you have overheard anything from the crew where Jewel might be going for the next cruise that starts on the 14th when you get off? Our itinerary is not looking promising.

The ship we are boarding in late September is broken.  It’s docked I think in Alaska waiting for a part and some European workers to install the azopod. Somebody posted they are going on our cruise even if they have to push the ship. 
 

I’m not worried. 

[Luckynana]

22 hours ago, Etta1213 said:

Was your DH able to have little mini incisions for his gallbladder surgery?

Yes, three of them.

[lenquixote66]

14 minutes ago, NHProud said:

The ship we are boarding in late September is broken.  It’s docked I think in Alaska waiting for a part and some European workers to install the azopod. Somebody posted they are going on our cruise even if they have to push the ship. 
 

I’m not worried. 

Our very first cruise in 1973 was supposed to be on the Americanism,a Greek line ship.The ship had severe problems on its way back to NY and our TA offered a Cunard cruise as a substitute.It was a great ship and cruise.

[dani negreanu]

@Momof3gurlz

 

Deb, since your cruise on beautiful Edge

 

 

The eerie corridor on deck 5....

 

 

 

is fast approaching, and I fear that I'll forgot some things....

 

As foodies, we've found the food on Edge much better than last year on Beyond.

 

BUT... after a very disappointing 1st night in Tuscan, we went back to dinner at Ocean View and found the variety, quantity and quality satisfying. I took advantage almost nightly of the Stir Fry station.

 

I admit that if Olivia will have been with us, we'll certainly be going every night to one of the 4 "free" dining rooms.

 

The 1st night on the ship we went to a for fee restaurant, the much acclaimed Eden. The appetizers were excellent, the entrees (Nova Scotia Lobster casserole) were nothing to write home about, mainly because we found one condiment in this dish very heavy and not tasty. The very nice waiter, Marcel, immediately offered to change it for us, but we declined. There is music above this restaurant, which is not quite "conducive" to having a nice conversation...

 

Truthfully, I fear that I'm being spoiled by my "personal chef" at home....

 

The service was excellent all over the ship, and you could feel that every one was doing his best for us to have the time of our life.

 

Ports -- the one we have "in common" is Portofino. We took advantage of being Elite and had priority tendering, an amazing benefit, taking in account that even at 10am people were waiting and waiting for the tender. Celebrity used just one boat, claiming that the port is tiny and cannot accommodate more tenders. Hello??? Why offer this port if it means the non-Elite and non-suite people were still waiting for the tender at noon???

 

A bad surprise when coming back and finding a very very long line to board the tender back, in plain sunshine.... pic below [bottom left]

 

 

When DH saw the huge line, he decided he'll have enough time to visit the museum, which he found very interesting, and provided the best look of the tiny port (5 Euro entrance), without having to climb so many stairs to Castello Brown.

 

Edited to add: Since we've been to Portofino before, our plan was to climb to the Castello for another brief photo-op, and then board to ferry to Santa Margherita Ligure, which was supposed to be more lively and less expensive, and have lunch there.

 

With all the tendering debacle, we got there around 1pm, all the shops were closed, bar the restaurants. It was so hot, that after a quick look around, we took the ferry back, only to find ourselves in the huge line (extreme right). A good thing we got back early.

 

 

 

Entertainment -- the "in house" shows were average, and twice DH left me alone after a few minutes, finding the noise too much for his hearing aids.

 

The "imported" ones were very good -- "The Queens of Rhythm", and Salvatore Hasard. The third one, "Magical Bones", had the usual ones of cards and disappearing act. BTDT.

 

We had an infinite veranda with bed by the balcony, and I very much enjoyed sitting in bed and looking at the sea. So relaxing.

 

I'll try to remember other tips... ahh, shopping. Barcelona is much cheaper than France, clothes wise. The same shirt I've bought at Mango in Barcelona for 30 Euros, was 40 in Ajaccio, Corsica.

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by dani negreanu

[Luckynana]

8 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

 

 

@Luckynana Have a great trip meeting up with family.

 

 

Thank you, Renee!  I'm so glad that you are feeling better!

 

7 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

We are 1.5 hours late getting into Halifax. Since we left St. John's the fog horns have been going off continuously. At times you could hardly see about 150 out. 

 

 

I've always loved the sound of Fog Horns.  I didn't live far from the water growing up on Staten Island, and my childhood memories of the sound of fog horns is a happy one!

[Luckynana]

5 hours ago, sgmn said:

Thanks Dani, I've read a couple of Phillipa Gregory

I love reading Phillipa Gregory.

4 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

Sherlock got snipped 

Poor Sherlock!

4 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

 And we have to do it with our Cavaliers as it was part of the contract we signed since they are pure breeds and we are not allowed to breed.

Interesting, Greg!  Not something I would've thought about.🤔

 

 

@aussielozzie18  Beautiful pictures of you beautiful Country!

 

[sgmn]

28 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

@Momof3gurlz

 

Deb, since your cruise on beautiful Edge

 

 

The eerie corridor on deck 5....

 

 

 

is fast approaching, and I fear that I'll forgot some things....

 

As foodies, we've found the food on Edge much better than last year on Beyond.

 

BUT... after a very disappointing 1st night in Tuscan, we went back to dinner at Ocean View and found the variety, quantity and quality satisfying. I took advantage almost nightly of the Stir Fry station.

 

I admit that if Olivia will have been with us, we'll certainly be going every night to one of the 4 "free" dining rooms.

 

The 1st night on the ship we went to a for fee restaurant, the much acclaimed Eden. The appetizers were excellent, the entrees (Nova Scotia Lobster casserole) were nothing to write home about, mainly because we found one condiment in this dish very heavy and not tasty. The very nice waiter, Marcel, immediately offered to change it for us, but we declined. There is music above this restaurant, which is not quite "conducive" to having a nice conversation...

 

Truthfully, I fear that I'm being spoiled by my "personal chef" at home....

 

The service was excellent all over the ship, and you could feel that every one was doing his best for us to have the time of our life.

 

Ports -- the one we have "in common" is Portofino. We took advantage of being Elite and had priority tendering, an amazing benefit, taking in account that even at 10am people were waiting and waiting for the tender. Celebrity used just one boat, claiming that the port is tiny and cannot accommodate more tenders. Hello??? Why offer this port if it means the non-Elite and non-suite people were still waiting for the tender at noon???

 

A bad surprise when coming back and finding a very very long line to board the tender back, in plain sunshine.... pic below [bottom left]

 

 

When DH saw the huge line, he decided he'll have enough time to visit the museum, which he found very interesting, and provided the best look of the tiny port (5 Euro entrance), without having to climb so many stairs to Castello Brown.

 

Edited to add: Since we've been to Portofino before, our plan was to climb to the Castello for another brief photo-op, and then board to ferry to Santa Margherita Ligure, which was supposed to be more lively and less expensive, and have lunch there.

 

With all the tendering debacle, we got there around 1pm, all the shops were closed, bar the restaurants. It was so hot, that after a quick look around, we took the ferry back, only to find ourselves in the huge line (extreme right). A good thing we got back early.

 

 

 

Entertainment -- the "in house" shows were average, and twice DH left me alone after a few minutes, finding the noise too much for his hearing aids.

 

The "imported" ones were very good -- "The Queens of Rhythm", and Salvatore Hasard. The third one, "Magical Bones", had the usual ones of cards and disappearing act. BTDT.

 

We had an infinite veranda with bed by the balcony, and I very much enjoyed sitting in bed and looking at the sea. So relaxing.

 

I'll try to remember other tips... ahh, shopping. Barcelona is much cheaper than France, clothes wise. The same shirt I've bought at Mango in Barcelona for 30 Euros, was 40 in Ajaccio, Corsica.

 

Glad for you Dani that the food is better than our Beyond sailing last year and that you're having a good time even though your cousin had to cancel. 

We flew into Tampa yesterday.  Immigration was a breeze, probably our easiest entry into USA . We got a bit confused about the Hyatt hotel shuttle . We followed the signs for hotel shuttles and waited ages in very hot temps but no shuttle.  After phoning hotel, apparently you now have to go to an uber pick up area, call the hotel and they send a uber at their expense .

Now in downtown hotel and can see cruise ships from our room. Went for a walk by the Riverside today but again very hot and not much shade 

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by sgmn

[Luckynana]

3 hours ago, jmh2006 said:

Phew just caught up!  Had a wonderful weekend in Washington DC to attend a wedding of the son of dear friend’s!  Even though it was hit and a bit rainy yesterday we had a fabulous time!  

 

Love this picture of the two of you, Jennifer!  I know what you mean about the heat and humidity.  I'm so over it!!!  (meanwhile, we're flying to Arizona next weekend..their temps have been well over 100 degrees)

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

Good evening.

It is currently 62°F and raining.

We had thunderstorms an hour ago which lasted 30 minutes.

It feels a lot cooler now after several nights of 70°F+ temperatures.

 

We finally got about an hour of heavy rain a few hours ago..temperature just dropped to 76 degrees.  Humidity is really getting to me!  Phew!!

[Luckynana]

@sgmn  Glad you and Gary arrived safely in Tampa, Sue. Enjoy today and tomorrow in town before embarking on your cruise on Tuesday!